Find out about shooting seasons and how to get a hunting licence in France...

Hunting is tightly controlled in France. If you want to hunt in France you will need a valid hunting licence. This licence allows you to hunt in a given territory, for a given period. The licence must be renewed (validated) each year.

The French word for hunting is Chasse.

Hunting Seasons

Hunting seasons in France are managed at a regional level to complement the ecological needs of the area and its animal and bird life: the dates of the opening and closing of hunting seasons depend on the region - département - and the animal species. While the season generally opens in September and runs until the end of February the opening is decided by the regional préfet (contact the local préfecture for dates). Waterfowl shooting opens in August while the shooting of many species such as partridge and migratory birds can be limited to a shorter period. Selective shooting of male roe deer may be allowed from June to September but a specific permit is needed. Mounted hunt (chasse à courre) is generally allowed until 31 March.

Unlike many other European countries, hunting is allowed on Sundays, although in some parts of Haute-Savoie there may be restrictions on Sundays, following a number of fatal hunting accidents in that region.

Species Hunted in France

Under 15 percent of all animal species in France may be hunted: of 529 species of bird and 119 species of mammal only 64 species of bird and 24 of mammal may be hunted.

For a list of species that may be hunted in France, visit chasses du monde (in French)

Hunting Licences in France

In order to have the right to hunt in France, it is necessary to have a hunting permit (permis de chasser). Hunters have to pass a theory and practical exam before being given a licence. Both of these exams are organised by the National Hunting and Wildlife Agency, ONCFS (Office National de Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage) and are held all year round.

To prepare for this exam, hunters have to undergo an obligatory training course. Candidates cannot take the practical exam until they have passed the theory exam and must be at least 15 years old on the day of the theory exam. If the candidate fails one of the exams then they must begin the process again and fill in a new application form.

Application procedures

The first step to get a hunting permit is to contact the Departmental Hunting Federation (Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs) in your home department who will inform you of available dates for training sessions for both the theory and practical exam. Once training is complete, the Federation sends the application form to the ONCFS. The following documents are necessary for an application:

photocopy of ID (passport, identity card, family record book or driving licence)

registration fee

You will then be notified (with at least 15 days warning) of the date the theory exam will take place.

The exam

The theory exam includes 21 questions based on the following themes:

knowledge of wildlife (recognising game and protected species, animal biology and their way of life)

knowledge of hunting (different hunting techniques, knowledge and use of hunting dogs and hunting vocabulary)

knowledge of the rules and laws concerning hunting policies and nature protection

knowledge of arms and munitions, how to use them and security rules

To pass the exam, you will need to have 16 correct answers out of 21 and must have replied correctly to the two questions concerning security. The certificate is issued by the inspectors of the ONCFS. The practical exam can only be taken once you have succeeded the theory exam. Following the theory exam you have 18 months to pass the practical exam. The exam has three parts:

simulation of hunting, shooting with blanks

target shooting test, with black targets representing species that can be hunted and red targets representing protected species or animals that can’t be hunted.

shooting a moving target

Any dangerous behaviour will lead to automatic failure of the exam. To pass the practical exam you must have 16 points correct out of 21.

Archery

In order to hunt with a bow and arrow, you must have a valid hunting licence and must undergo specific training carried out with the Hunting Federation of your home department.

Delivery of the hunting licence

Once the candidate has passed both of the exams, application for the hunting licence may be made at the home Préfecture (or local Préfecture de Police for Paris residents).
The application must include the following:

hunting licence application form, filled in and signed by the candidate

The hunting licence will be sent within a month following the application unless the application is refused. Applications can be refused for the following reasons: medical reasons, criminal record within the last five years, or if the applicant is forbidden to carry an arm.

Validation of the hunting licence

It is necessary to validate a hunting licence every year and the procedure can vary in the different departments. Contact the local Fédération Nationale des Chasseurs to find out about the procedures for each department.

Types of validation

National Annual Validation: Valid from the 1 July to the 30 June and for the whole of France.

Departmental Annual Validation: Valid from the 1 July to the 30 June and for one department and the communes next to it.

Temporary Validation: Valid for nine consecutive days and can be granted for the whole of France or for one or more departments.

Non-French licences in France

The practice of hunting in France by French or foreign non-residents who hold a hunting licence issued from a country other than France is subject to the validation of these documents under the rules applying to the delivery of a hunting licence in France.

Insurance

Hunters have to have insurance (Assurance obligatoire de responsabilité civile) in France and you must carry proof of insurance (attestation d’insurance) when hunting. To have your hunting permit validated you must show proof of insurance:

Guarantee fund (Fonds de Garantie)

In the event of a hunting accident where the offender is not known or uninsured, the injured person may make a claim at the Fonds de Garantie by sending a registered letter to the address:

Disabled

A hunting permit cannot be delivered to anyone who has a disability or a medical condition that can make hunting dangerous; or anyone that is under medication that will alter reflexes, visual or hearing capacities.

Accompanied Hunting (Chasse accompagnée)

People aged over 15 may hunt if accompanied by an adult who has had a hunting permit for over 5 years. The permit allowing them to do so is available at no charge and is valid for one year. The accompanying person must follow a training course before being granted a permit, and there must be only one rifle for two people.
The applicant must fill in a form for chasse accompagnée and provide:

two passport-sized photographs

a certificate proving that the training course was carried out

proof of identity

a letter from the accompanying person stating that they have a valid hunting licence

The form should be sent to the local prefecture of the applicant's home town.

Arms in Circulation and the European Firearm Licence

The European Firearm Licence allows hunters to go on hunting trips in all European countries, with their own weapons which are registered on this licence. There are no other formalities except those considered mandatory by the country of entry. The Préfecture can deliver a European Firearms Licence to foreigners who are resident in France. This licence is valid for 5 years.
Foreign hunters may hunt in France provided that they have a European Firearms Licence mentioning the weapons being carried. The allowance for EU hunters is: three arms of the 5th category and 100 cartridges per arm.
Hunters from outside the EU are limited to two arms of the 5th category and 100 cartridges per arm.